In all types of interior design, form matters the most and selecting the right shape of rug can significantly impact how a room’s form is perceived. It also contributes to the cohesion of the overall design and this is especially true for frequently used spaces, like a living room.
But when selecting luxury rugs, the most common question is, round or rectangular?
Our guide covers some of the design and spatial factors that make these shapes of rug work, as well as how to make an informed decision for your own living room.
Finding the right rug shape can be a deciding factor in the design of a well-balanced living room. The rug usually occupies a central space in the living room which is why its shape will have a major impact on the room’s visual flow. In most cases, the choice and arrangement of furniture also depends on the rug. After all, having conflicting lines within a room can throw off the ambience, and even affect the mood of the room. Even though these changes may seem subtle, humans are visual creatures who feed off the harmony of their environment. Looking into the benefits and suitability of each shape can help you make good purchasing decisions that are in line with the design goals you have.
A round rug can definitely pique interest when it is a uniquely shaped element of a living room design. Since most modern furniture features straight, linear lines, adding a round rug brings a nice visual contrast and it becomes the focal point around which you can arrange your furniture.
This is also helpful for rooms that are awkwardly shaped or have sharp angles because the roundness of your rug will soften the room, making it feel more warm and welcoming.
If you feel like a living room is otherwise too simple or plain-looking, a round rug can be used to create an interesting, eye-catching focal point. Our designers recommend going for a bold, statement rug, ideally in a geometric print.
This is also a good opportunity to bring a touch of your own personality or a pop of colour to the room. But the key is to make sure that the rest of your furniture aligns well with the rug and that its placement does not look awkward. When chosen and placed rightly, your rug can easily be used as an accent piece.
Many interior designers recommend round rugs for smaller rooms because they will bring a sense of openness and fluidity. As a result, you will have a living room that feels more spacious and less constrained. The overall ambience will also feel much calmer and serene. But this can not be achieved with any round rug as you need to be mindful of many factors including the colour, style and design. For example, a dark-coloured round rug in a bold print is not likely to help a small room and might make it feel as boxed up as a rectangular rug would have had.
The curves of the round rug contrast with the straight lines of furniture and architecture, balancing the visual elements in your room. This is an excellent feature to take advantage of in contemporary city houses that tend towards highly structured designs.
To make things even more interesting, our designers recommend adding some curved lines through your furniture. For example, a curved sofa, like the Wave sofa by Gamma Arredamenti, looks spectacular when placed on a round rug. To complete your set, you can add more curved elements such as round side tables or coffee tables.
Rectangular rugs are generally a whole lot easier to position with most of the furniture arrangements that exist in a typical living room. Their shape aligns well with the straight and prominent edges of almost all kinds of sofas, sturdy chairs, and square tables.
This brings a sense of uniformity and sleekness to the different elements of the room. It can also make your living room feel well-appointed and organised. Most clients also find it easier to choose and arrange furniture with a rectangular rug as compared to a round one.
Rectangular rugs have the benefit of extensive coverage, which makes them ideal for defining bigger areas within a living room. Due to their size and corners, rectangular rugs cover a lot more floor space and can be both a backdrop for furniture sets and a protection for the floor.
These functional aspects are valuable in luxury living rooms, where one could expect higher traffic and more usage than other rooms in the house.
In open-plan living rooms, designers often need to define areas and rectangular rugs can be extremely helpful in such scenarios. For example, if a seating area and dining space need to be separated visually, then placing a rug under the sofas of the searing area would really help.
This helps in not just visual aspects but also brings organisation and makes the room more accessible without impacting the openness of the fluid design.
The decorative layout of your living room and how it fits with the structural elements are the starting points for determining the best rug shape. You need to think about how the rug you select will align with, and fit within, the space as a whole. A round rug may work better in a room with less linear furniture, while a rectangular rug can align more effectively with traditional or modern layouts.
Before you start shopping, make sure to have the exact measurements of your room and then decide what percentage of it you’re willing to cover. For example, clients who have rooms with beautiful flooring usually prefer smaller rooms so their flooring is not entirely covered.
It’s very important for your personal design goals to be reflected in whichever rug you select. If you aim to create a focal point or add visual interest, a round rug might be the ideal option to achieve your goal.
Conversely, if you want functional coverage and clear demarcation of various areas in an open-plan room, a rectangular rug would be more likely to meet your requirements.
If you need help, you can always ask your designer to present you with 3-d renders or mood boards to help you visualise how a particular rug would look like when placed in your living room.
As important as rug shape is, the materials and textures can also not be ignored. You want your rug to not just look good but also feel good. At the same time, you want something that’s practical and functional in terms of your lifestyle. For example, while silk rugs look great, most people with busy living rooms avoid them as they’re not too easy to clean or maintain.
Modern rugs are available in a range of materials including jute, wool, cotton, viscose, acrylic and even leather. Most high-end brands like Cattelan Italia usually make their rugs from a combination of cotton and chenille. So it’s important to consider the pros and cons of all these materials to select the best option for your space.
We’ve been designing spaces for more than 4 decades and consider ourselves as rug experts, especially when it comes to awkward spaces. When you visit our London showroom, you’ll find a huge range of designer and bespoke rugs, all of which are completely customisable.
You can book a free consultation with one of our award-winning interior designers, who will discuss your project with you to suggest the best options. We also have a huge sample library that you can browse with our designers to select the right colours and materials for your rug.
The end result will be a truly unique and beautiful bespoke rug that is specifically designed for your space.
Picking the right rug shape for your living room requires an evaluation of the visual pros and cons of both round and rectangular options. Round rugs are great for creating visual interest, enhancing smaller spaces, and softening the design of your room. Rectangular rugs, on the other hand, provide practical coverage within a space, ease of placement when it comes to furniture, and effective area marking in open-plan layouts. By discussing your room layout and goals with an interior designer, you’ll find that choosing the right rug is not as difficult as it often seems to be.
If you need any advice on selecting, designing or layering bespoke rugs, take advantage of our free design consultation. Simply make an appointment to visit our award-winning showroom and our expert team will walk you through all your options, ensuring that you end up with an aesthetic you love.
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